from oversized single-family home to a house for three generations

Catharina Fineder

Overlooking the Rhine Valley in Vorarlberg, Apartments R demonstrates how existing residential plots can be reimagined to address contemporary housing challenges in rural areas. The project replaces an oversized single-family house that had become home to only one resident – the client’s mother. The project explores how careful densification can create social, ecological, and economic value on an existing site. The new building accommodates three independent apartments within a compact volume. The ground-floor garden apartment provides a barrier-free home for the elderly mother, allowing her to remain in familiar surroundings while adapting to changing needs. Two additional apartments on the upper floors create housing opportunities for future generations. The building responds to its rural context through a simple and timeless form. A compact gable-roof volume, clad in grey timber and wooden shingles, reflects local building traditions while expressing a contemporary architectural language. Large openings frame panoramic views across the Rhine Valley and connect the interior spaces to the surrounding landscape. Flexibility was a key design principle. The attic apartment is conceived as a loft that can be adapted to changing lifestyles and household structures over time. This capacity for transformation supports the building’s long-term relevance and sustainability. Constructed from regional timber, the building combines durable materials with a highly efficient energy concept. Geothermal heating, a photovoltaic system, and a well-insulated building envelope significantly reduce operational energy demand. Beyond providing housing, Apartments R addresses a broader societal question: how can underused single-family properties contribute to the future of rural communities? By transforming one oversized dwelling into three high-quality homes, the project offers a model for sustainable rural densification, intergenerational living, and responsible land use.

Project Gallery

South-west façade

Street-side elevation

the building integrated into the landscape

Interior living space with built-in library

panoramic view of the rhine valley

open-plan living area connecting kitchen

Catharina Fineder AT

http://www.catharinafineder.com
Weinberggasse 25d | 6800 Feldkirch